Pulse.ng : Kaduna Disability Advocate Decries Delay in Feeding Funds Keeping Students Out of School

By Sani Idris abdulrahman

Disability rights advocate, Stephen Waya, has raised concern over the continued delay in the release of feeding funds to rehabilitation centres in Kaduna State, a situation he says has kept many students with disabilities at home eight weeks into the 2025 academic session.

In a statement issued to newsmen on Monday in Kaduna, Waya said the affected students were willing to resume but could not do so because both the Kaduna Rehabilitation Centre and the Jama’a Local Government Rehabilitation Centre had yet to receive the feeding funds required for their full operation.

He added that the development mirrored a similar situation experienced last term, which disrupted learning and slowed down the rehabilitation and skill acquisition journey of the students.

Waya noted that the centres have also faced challenges for more than three years in accessing start-up packages, materials and tools needed for graduating trainees to begin sustainable livelihoods.

He said the persistent gaps underscored the need for strengthened support to the Kaduna State Disability Affairs Board, which is mandated to manage disability-related matters and ensure effective service delivery across the state.

He, however, acknowledged steps taken by the Kaduna State Government toward promoting inclusive governance, pointing out that Governor Uba Sani’s appointment of a person with disability as Senior Special Assistant on Disability Matters had inspired five Local Government Areas to make similar appointments.

According to him, the appointments signaled genuine commitment and showed that the state was moving in the right direction, even though more action was still required to consolidate the progress made.

Waya stressed that inclusive governance must go beyond policy commitments to practical actions that ensure children with disabilities can learn, grow and thrive.

He said the right to education should not be denied due to delays in the release of funds, adding that timely support to rehabilitation centres would empower students to become artisans, innovators and contributors to the state’s development.

He called on the Kaduna State Government, relevant ministries and financial agencies to act swiftly by releasing outstanding feeding funds and strengthening budgetary support to disability institutions.

He also urged closer collaboration with civil society organisations, organisations of persons with disabilities, the media and advocates to enhance transparency and accountability in the sector.

Waya said the essence of inclusive governance lies in deliberate efforts that uplift all citizens, especially those who depend on collective support, adding that Kaduna State had already taken commendable steps but needed to sustain the momentum.

He emphasised that no child with a disability should be left behind, saying their education and dreams were important for the future of the state.

“Their education matters. Their dreams matter. And together, we can help secure their future,” he said.